Crawford County, Wisconsin Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WI
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Crawford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.2, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Crawford County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $169K in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $987K in expected annual loss and about 3.61 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Crawford County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Crawford County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 72 Wisconsin counties, Crawford County ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.96 / yr | $169K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.61 / yr | $987K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.16 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.42 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.54 / yr | $8M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.54 / yr | $510K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $66K |
| Drought | Low | 5.14 / yr | $38K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.48 / yr | $81K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 16.58 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Crawford County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| October 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Crawford County?
Crawford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Crawford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $169K EAL), Hail (Medium, $987K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Crawford County compare to other Wisconsin counties?
Crawford County ranks #56 of 72 Wisconsin counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Crawford County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Crawford County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Crawford County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.